S. 3303: Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities for Veterans Act

The bill titled "Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities for Veterans Act" (LINC VA Act) aims to improve the coordination of services for veterans through a pilot program managed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The key aspects of the bill include:

Establishment of a Community Integration Platform

The bill requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to set up or enhance a community integration platform within one year of its enactment. This platform will help coordinate local support services for veterans by connecting various governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Functionality of the Platform

The community integration platform will:

• Be accessible to veterans and authorized personnel.
• Coordinate services such as:
  • Nutritional assistance
  • Housing support
  • Healthcare services, including preventive care and behavioral health
  • Transportation
  • Job training
  • Child development or care
  • Caregiving and respite care
  • Disability assistance
  • Suicide prevention services
  • Sexual assault services
  • Legal aid
  • Transition programs from the Department of Defense
• Prioritize interconnectivity with existing technology networks that comply with relevant standards.
• Ensure privacy and security protections are in place.
• Provide support to organizations in connecting and participating in the platform.
• Collect information regarding social determinants of health from participating veterans.
• Be accessible via both web-based and non-web-based platforms to accommodate different veterans’ needs.

Implementation Locations

The pilot program will be conducted at no fewer than five Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities, which will include a variety of facility types such as frontier facilities and under-resourced facilities.

Coordination with Existing Programs

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs will coordinate the pilot program with existing community networks and State Medicaid programs to facilitate the integration of services.

Referral Tracking and Evaluation

The bill mandates tracking of referrals made to community networks, including accuracy and response times. After three years, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs must submit a report on the social service needs of veterans and the outcomes from the community integration platform. Additionally, the Comptroller General will evaluate the program's impact on veteran health outcomes and access to services.

Collection of Health Determinants Information

Lastly, the bill stipulates that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs will collect information on social determinants of health from veterans enrolled in their system. This will be done using standardized risk assessment tools, allowing for better understanding and management of veterans' health needs.

Relevant Companies

None found